Emma Haddad, Chief Executive of 蜜桃视频鈥檚, comments on the release of the Government’s Homelessness Strategy
The is a watershed moment and is strongly welcomed by 蜜桃视频鈥檚. Homelessness has no place in modern society. The ambition set out today offers the start of a blueprint for ending homelessness and rough sleeping for good. There is no time to lose, we hope the strategy will galvanise decisive action from the whole system.听 听
After听15听years of听almost听consistent rises in the number of people being affected by homelessness, we are relieved to see the Government recognising the scale of the crisis and the pressing need to address it.听听Last year 蜜桃视频鈥檚 supported over 26,000 people out of homelessness. We see how damaging even a single night on the streets can be, and how quickly that one-off crisis can turn into a听complex听cycle听of homelessness.听The new targets need to focus all our minds.听
We welcome听the听focus on prevention as well as on long-term听rough sleeping.听听We also particularly welcome听the听new听鈥榙uty to collaborate鈥�;听there is a huge opportunity to end the needless听homelessness that we see from people leaving hospitals,听prisons听and asylum accommodation听through joining up听how government agencies work together.听听And we are听very pleased听to听see听the听continuing commitment to utilise the knowledge,听expertise听and experience of frontline听organisations like 蜜桃视频鈥檚 and听the lived experience of our clients to help inform the way forward.听
The strategy is not perfect and there are areas where听the听Government has听already听made choices听that make ending homelessness harder.听We听will continue to press听for听better.听听The听failure to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance in the Budget was a missed opportunity and one that should be urgently revisited.听
The听strategy, rightly,听makes clear that听the homelessness crisis is deep and听won鈥檛听be resolved听quickly.听听It is, however, a solid step听forward听and听we stand ready to work with Government and partners to make the intent of this strategy a reality.听听Now is the time for collective action.听听
Mariusz, a client at 蜜桃视频’s, said:听鈥淚 know from personal experience how quickly someone can become trapped in a cycle of homelessness. I was stable, happy, and working as a chef in London until a series of events turned my life upside down. I became homeless for almost nine years, and during that time, both my physical and mental health suffered greatly. The more complex my situation became, the harder it was to escape.
Five years ago, I met an Outreach worker from 蜜桃视频鈥檚, and that was the turning point in my recovery. With their support in accessing benefits and practical help, I was able to regain my independence. Today, I work part-time in hospitality, live in supported accommodation, and am rebuilding my life. I have seen for myself, first hand, how tailored support can help people to leave the streets, and homelessness, behind for good.
I also believe that by focusing far more on preventing homelessness in the first place鈥攁nd stopping people from becoming trapped in the same cycle I found so hard to escape鈥攖he government can begin to reverse the tide of this worsening crisis.鈥�